18 of 26Peter Bartelli's 1963 "Holy Grail" Porsche 356 2.0-liter is seen after picking up his Best in Class award at the Winter Park Concours d'Elegance, in Winter Park, Fla.

Photo by Mark Elias

19 of 26Ray Morgan stops briefly to pick up his Best in Class award for his 1933 Morgan Three-wheeler at the Winter Park Concours d'Elegance, in Winter Park, Fla.

Photo by Mark Elias

20 of 26Jim Schmidt's 1930 Lincoln L Sport Phaeton walked away with the Spirit of Lincoln Trophy for best Lincoln over all examples in the honored marque category.

Photo by Mark Elias

21 of 26Eugene Grant picks up the prize for the Spirit of Porsche award for his 1966 Porsche 912 Coupe with 435,000 miles on it.

Photo by Mark Elias

22 of 26The 1972 Rolls Royce Phantom VI Landaulet limousine belonging to Colin Gilbert drove away with the Chairman's Trophy. Found in Gabon, Africa, it appeared to be just the thing for an African dictator from a bygone era.

Photo by Mark Elias

23 of 26Steve and Marcella Duba's 1957 Lincoln Mark II is seen picking up the Judge's award at the Winter Park Concours d'Elegance, in Winter Park, Fla.

Photo by Mark Elias

24 of 26The Founder's Trophy was awarded to the 1930 Rolls Royce Phantom I Hibbard & Darrin Transformable of Richard Mitchell. Originally built for Marlene Dietrich, it is a past winner at the Pebble Beach event.

Photo by Mark Elias

25 of 26Steven Wolf's 1935 Rolls Royce Phantom II Binder is seen after being declared Best in Show at the Winter Park Concours d'Elegance.

The 11th annual Winter Park Concours d'Elegance

November 13, 2012

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Celebrating the art of automobile design, collectors, auto aficionados and day trippers converged on the Norman Rockwell-ish Central Florida town of Winter Park for the 11th annual Winter Park Concours d'Elegance. Located in the town's business district, it was the perfect combination of sublime weather and picturesque Spanish moss-draped oaks to signal the start of the winter concours season.

A three-day affair, the WPC began with an “Aeroport Reception” with a high-speed component where attendees made donations to the event's charity, the Kids House of Seminole, in exchange for supercar hot laps on the runway at Sanford Airport.

A 140-mile Tour d'Elegance followed on day two. The 11th annual Concours d'Elegance wrapped up the weekend on Winter Park's Central Park and along its brick-paved Park Avenue.

One-hundred fifty-six cars were judged in 26 classes ranging from American classics, hot rods, Jaguar, Rolls Royce and Bentley, and the trophy division, which featured some major players in concours events from around the world. Two honor marques were displayed consisting of special Porsche and Lincoln automobiles.

Wide-ranging in its entries, the concours featured something for everyone. One of the more prominent head turners was the 1993 Jaguar XJ220 belonging to Ian Crawford that made acquaintance with a new generation of admirers. Jefferson Voss brought his family's 1942 Ford Stake Truck. Originally bought for the family farm by his great aunt, the well-pampered workhorse has only 9,000 original miles on the clock.

Capt. Peter Bartelli of Venice, Fla., brought his Holy Grail Porsche 356 2.0-liter four cam. Considered one of the most desirable of the 356 models, his 1963 was one of 310 coupes built and at the time was considered the fastest 356 of its day. For his efforts, he drove away with best in the Porsche class.

Jim Schmidt's 1930 Lincoln L Sport Phaeton walked away with the Spirit of Lincoln trophy for best Lincoln over all examples in the honored marque category, while Eugene Grant took corresponding kudos in the Porsche category for his 1966 Porsche 912 Coupe with 435,000 miles on it.

Four-wheelers weren't the only vehicles represented, as there was a category featuring Morgan V-Twin three-wheelers. From old to new, the brand was represented, including a 2011 model with its S&S engine. But at the end of the day, the category prize went home with Ray Morgan (no relation) and his 1933 Morgan Super Sport that he claimed as one of two left-hand drive models.

With four wheels firmly planted once again, a 1972 Rolls Royce Phantom VI Landaulet limousine belonging to Colin Gilbert drove away with the Chairman's trophy. Found in Gabon, Africa, it appeared to be just the thing for an African dictator from a bygone era.

At the end of judging, the top three prizes were awarded to classic collectibles. The Judge's Choice winner was the powder-blue 1957 Lincoln Mk II belonging to Steven and Marcella Duba. The Founder's Trophy was awarded to the 1930 Rolls Royce Phantom I Hibbard & Darrin Transformable of Richard Mitchell. Steven Wolf's 1935 Rolls Royce Phantom II Binder took home Best in Show honors.

After all was said and done, event organizer Tim Webber offered up a summation. “Winter Park tries to create a great atmosphere in a great park, along brick streets in a beautiful town. The crowds love it, and that's it. It's really a great integration of cars, a town and a good cause.”